CONTEXT: (5-10 minutes) What is Storybird? Storybird is an easy to use, highly engaging, web 2.0 platform for readers and digital storytellers of all ages. Even with limited digital skills anyone can create beautifully-illustrated storybooks in minutes. Storybird curates original artwork from illustrators worldwide. Students choose the artwork they like, and by simply “clicking and dragging” they select the illustrations they want to use and then add their own text to create their personal storybook. There is also an option to create poetry. Storybird is free (upgraded memberships are available if you are willing/able to pay) and educators can set up secure, classroom accounts. These books are shareable and printable. They can be embedded in blogs or on a class web site, emailed to parents, and downloaded. For a fee, print versions can also be ordered. By joining, you and your students can become part of Storybird’s global storytelling community. I introduced Storybird to nearly 100 teacher candidates at the University of Ottawa this year who were new to digital storytelling and they all LOVED IT!
How can I access Storybird?
Go to: http://storybird.com/accounts/signup/
Three types of accounts are available: Regular, Teacher/class, and Kid/under 13.
OVERVIEW OF FEATURES (10 minutes) Online tutorials:
1. Storybird Introduction for Educators, Part 1 (8:37) (By techteacher18) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30-o4dw8mPU
Once a story has been published, it can be shared with others by email, through a link, or by embedding it in on a blog or a web site.
To do this, click on the "share" button located on the bottom menu below the published story. If a story is NOT classified "private" it may also
be shared on social networks such as Twitter and Facebook. You can also download the story in PDF to print or share on iPads or other devices,
for $1.99. Other hard copy options for purchase are also available.
2. To view later (Adding student accounts, adding assignments, moderating):
Storybird Introduction for Educators, Part 2 (6:13) (By techteacher18) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2ObQygSDqE
Type in required information (user name, email address, password)
Choose “Create” from the top menu after your account is set up
Browse the artwork in one of 3 ways: a. by scrolling through the collections of illustrations; b. by choosing a tag/keyword from the left menu; or, c. by searching for tags/keywords (on the bottom, left menu)
Choose the artwork you want to use by clicking on the image
Choose: “Use this Art” (blue button on top, right hand side of the image)
Choose: “For a story"
Click and drag individual images from either side of the blank page onto the page you are working on
Type in text
Select a cover for your storybook from the menu below your storybook. Note that only the “Classic” version is free, so choose that one
Storybird.com MINI-TASK (15 minutes)
Task:
Create and share a short digital story using Storybird.com.
If possible, write 3-5 pages, including a cover for your storybook with the title and name(s) of the author(s).
Instructions:
Work independently or with a partner
Create a Storybird account
Briefly explore the options under Create
Choose a set of illustrations and write a short digital story (be sure to SAVE)
Share your story with a colleague or another pair
If you are willing to share your story with the whole class email the link to Diane at: dadwattt@hotmail.com
REFLECTION (5 minutes)
With a partner or in a small group brainstorm ideas in response to the following questions. Record your ideas on the colored card provided:
1. How might you use Storybird with your own students (indicate grade level and subject areas)?
2. In terms of literacies, what might be some of the benefits and challenges of using Storybird in the classroom?
Your ideas will be posted below in the next section, so be sure to check back!
OUR IDEAS on using Storybird.com:
(Ideas and responses for the brainstorm session will be posted here)
A. Check out these digital storytelling sites suggested by participants in our cool tools session:
B. To add another dimension to your Storybird storybook use Screencast-o-matic to record your voice. Myriam's story voiced-over with Screencast can be found at this link on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJP0P9zvHCU&feature=youtu.be
C. Storybird and ipad - Hope Hall submitted a question on the availability of app for iPad. This is the response from Storybird:
Web app for now; the editor is optimized for iPad. iOS app sometime next year.
D. Kristin and Joan highly recommend the following web site to learn more about this topic: Center for Digital Storytelling
Boardman, D. (2007). Inside the digital classroom. In Thomas Newkirk & Richard Kent (Eds.), Teaching the Neglected “R”: Rethinking Writing Instruction in Secondary Classrooms, pp. 162-171. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.
Kajder, S. (2007). Plugging into Twenty-First Century Writers. In Thomas Newkirk & Richard Kent (Eds.), Teaching the Neglected “R”: Rethinking Writing Instruction in Secondary Classrooms, pp. 149-161. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.
Miller, Lisa (2007). Space to Imagine: Digital Storytelling. In Thomas Newkirk & Richard Kent (Eds.), Teaching the Neglected “R”: Rethinking Writing Instruction in Secondary Classrooms, pp. 172-184. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.
Miller, Lisa (2010). Make Me a Story: Teaching Writing Through Digital Storytelling. Portland, Maine: Stenhouse Publishers.
Some Reasons to Teach Digital Storytelling
From: Lisa C. Miller (2010), Make Me a Story: Teaching Writing Through Digital Storytelling.
1. Digital storytelling engages and empowers reluctant readers and writers and different types of learners. It makes everyone want to write.
2. Digital storytelling projects can change how students see themselves and their classmates and can build community in the classroom.
3. Thinking about audience is an important part of the process and digital storytelling provides an authentic audience for student writers.
4. Digital storytelling projects do not have to be complicated to be effective.
5. Stories can be done across the curriculum.
6. The literacy process is the point; digital storytelling projects teach writing, reading, and digital skills.
7. The process draws on what students already know about storytelling (and moviemaking). Students today have a sophisticated knowledge about visual elements that can make a story effective.
Digital Storytelling Made (Super!) Easy: Create Gorgeous, Illustrated Storybooks with Storybird.com
Dr. Diane Watt
Teacher Educator
University of Ottawa
*This page has been updated with suggestions from Cool Tools session participants!
Hand-out:
CONTEXT: (5-10 minutes)
What is Storybird?
Storybird is an easy to use, highly engaging, web 2.0 platform for readers and digital storytellers of all ages. Even with limited digital skills anyone can create beautifully-illustrated storybooks in minutes. Storybird curates original artwork from illustrators worldwide. Students choose the artwork they like, and by simply “clicking and dragging” they select the illustrations they want to use and then add their own text to create their personal storybook. There is also an option to create poetry. Storybird is free (upgraded memberships are available if you are willing/able to pay) and educators can set up secure, classroom accounts. These books are shareable and printable. They can be embedded in blogs or on a class web site, emailed to parents, and downloaded. For a fee, print versions can also be ordered. By joining, you and your students can become part of Storybird’s global storytelling community. I introduced Storybird to nearly 100 teacher candidates at the University of Ottawa this year who were new to digital storytelling and they all LOVED IT!
How can I access Storybird?
Go to: http://storybird.com/accounts/signup/
Three types of accounts are available: Regular, Teacher/class, and Kid/under 13.
Finished Examples:
Here are some examples of finished storybooks created by teacher candidates in my classes:
1. Adieu to Language Arts 2012 http://storybird.com/books/adieu-to-language-arts-2012/
2. Mr. Fish’s Crazy Day http://storybird.com/books/mrfishs-crazy-day/
3. It Can be so Peaceful http://storybird.com/books/it-can-be-so-peaceful/
OVERVIEW OF FEATURES (10 minutes)
Online tutorials:
1. Storybird Introduction for Educators, Part 1 (8:37) (By techteacher18)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30-o4dw8mPU
Once a story has been published, it can be shared with others by email, through a link, or by embedding it in on a blog or a web site.
To do this, click on the "share" button located on the bottom menu below the published story. If a story is NOT classified "private" it may also
be shared on social networks such as Twitter and Facebook. You can also download the story in PDF to print or share on iPads or other devices,
for $1.99. Other hard copy options for purchase are also available.
2. To view later (Adding student accounts, adding assignments, moderating):
Storybird Introduction for Educators, Part 2 (6:13) (By techteacher18)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2ObQygSDqE
For questions about any of Storybird's features go to: http://help.storybird.com
How to set up a Storybird account
Storybird.com MINI-TASK (15 minutes)
Task:
Create and share a short digital story using Storybird.com.
If possible, write 3-5 pages, including a cover for your storybook with the title and name(s) of the author(s).
Instructions:
REFLECTION (5 minutes)
With a partner or in a small group brainstorm ideas in response to the following questions. Record your ideas on the colored card provided:
1. How might you use Storybird with your own students (indicate grade level and subject areas)?
2. In terms of literacies, what might be some of the benefits and challenges of using Storybird in the classroom?
Your ideas will be posted below in the next section, so be sure to check back!
OUR IDEAS on using Storybird.com:
(Ideas and responses for the brainstorm session will be posted here)
A. Check out these digital storytelling sites suggested by participants in our cool tools session:
1. Storyjumper.com
2. Scratch Animation
3. Little Bird Tales
4. Microsoft Photostory 3
5. ThingLink
B. To add another dimension to your Storybird storybook use Screencast-o-matic to record your voice.
Myriam's story voiced-over with Screencast can be found at this link on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJP0P9zvHCU&feature=youtu.be
C. Storybird and ipad - Hope Hall submitted a question on the availability of app for iPad. This is the response from Storybird:
D. Kristin and Joan highly recommend the following web site to learn more about this topic:
Center for Digital Storytelling
http://www.storycenter.org
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Boardman, D. (2007). Inside the digital classroom. In Thomas Newkirk & Richard Kent (Eds.), Teaching the Neglected “R”: Rethinking Writing Instruction in
Secondary Classrooms, pp. 162-171. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.
Dabbs, Lisa. (Edutopia). Using StoryBird in the classroom. http://www.edutopia.org/blog/storybird-new-teacher-boot-camp-lisa-dabbs
Hamilton, Paul (EduBlog). Storybird: Anyone can Write Beautifully Illustrated Stories!
http://paulhami.edublogs.org/2012/01/07/storybird-anyone-can-write-beautifully-illustrated-stories/
Kajder, S. (2007). Plugging into Twenty-First Century Writers. In Thomas Newkirk & Richard Kent (Eds.), Teaching the Neglected “R”: Rethinking Writing
Instruction in Secondary Classrooms, pp. 149-161. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.
Kleinspiration (Blog). A reflection on using Storybird. http://www.kleinspiration.com/2011/02/reflection-on-storybird.html
Magiera, Jennie (Blog). Soaring with Storybird. http://www.teachinglikeits2999.com/2013/04/soaring-with-storybird.html
Miller, Lisa (2007). Space to Imagine: Digital Storytelling. In Thomas Newkirk & Richard Kent (Eds.), Teaching the Neglected “R”: Rethinking Writing Instruction
in Secondary Classrooms, pp. 172-184. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.
Miller, Lisa (2010). Make Me a Story: Teaching Writing Through Digital Storytelling. Portland, Maine: Stenhouse Publishers.
Mrs. Watson’s K/1/2/3 Class Web Site. Collaborative Storybirds between classes in Canada and New Zealand
http://mrswatson.ca/2011/06/20/partner-storybirds-with-b4/ and http://openthedoortob4.blogspot.ca/2011/06/our-storybird-collaboration-with-canada.html
Mr. Avery (An EduBlog). Storybird: A Collaborative Storytelling Tool. http://techtutorials.edublogs.org/2011/09/05/storybird/
Some Reasons to Teach Digital Storytelling
From: Lisa C. Miller (2010), Make Me a Story: Teaching Writing Through Digital Storytelling.
1. Digital storytelling engages and empowers reluctant readers and writers and different types of learners. It makes everyone want to write.
2. Digital storytelling projects can change how students see themselves and their classmates and can build community in the classroom.
3. Thinking about audience is an important part of the process and digital storytelling provides an authentic audience for student writers.
4. Digital storytelling projects do not have to be complicated to be effective.
5. Stories can be done across the curriculum.
6. The literacy process is the point; digital storytelling projects teach writing, reading, and digital skills.
7. The process draws on what students already know about storytelling (and moviemaking). Students today have a sophisticated knowledge about visual elements that can make a story effective.